Visby/Gotland

[nyfeds]

Has anyone taken a ship's excursion, while in Visby, to Gotland? We are considering this and would like opinions, please. Thanks.

[whenzuc]

Does anyone know how strenous the biking tour is in Visby?

[Gardendog]

Visby is a very small town both in population and area. It can easily be walked. There are lots of places to rent bikes as you exit the harbor. Gotland is FLAT, so very easy to bike. Gotland is famous for its biking. People will carry tents and camping gear on a wagon behind their bike and go on an extended bike holiday on Gotland.

 

There are lots of very nice ruins, churches (the cathedral was built in 1100) and a decent museum in Visby. Lots of nice restaurants where you can eat outside. Cute little shops. I believe going on a ship's tour is overkill. There is lots to see just by walking. Where would the ship take you? If you are only going to be in Visby for the day, there is no need to go elsewhere, because Visby is the best part of the attraction of Gotland. If you were to stay there for a few days, you might want to rent a car and go to Fårö to see the sheep and the unusual rock formations, RAUKAR that are part of the geology on that separate island. But that would be like going to New York and instead of spending time there, going to New Jersey.

 

Visby is surrounded by a wall and has cobble stone roads. It's a very nice place, and you are lucky that your ship docks there. The arrival is also very nice, seeing the island appearing.

 

Outside of Visby proper there is a reconstructed Viking village. Here is the URL: http://www.vikinggotland.com/eng/places.shtml

 

Vikings lived on Gotland way into the 1100 and there are lots of archeological finds from Vikings. They are displayen in the museum in Visby.

 

Looking at the pix from the URL that I provided, you can see what people are wearing. It's not particularly warm on Gotland. It can be, but be prepared for chillier winds.

 

I have been there in June and twice in August, chilly on all occasions. In particular I remember the June day as chilly. I got married there in the cathedral a few years back on a "chilly" but gloriously sunny June day. Actually, it was midsummer eve.

[gopackgo]

I am also thinking about taking an excursion called the Rugged Coastline of Gotland when we are in Visby for the day. Just looking for any feedback on it. It will be the last port of our long trip (2 weeks) and by then, I will be ready to see some coastline, cliffs, and countryside. Has anyone take this excursion?

 

Thanks,

 

Ginny

 

PS Denise, are you looking at the Visby tour?

[edinburgher]

Visby is very small and pretty. It was one of our favourite ports. There is really no need for a tour there. On our ship, the tour was 3 hours but this consisted of 1 hour on the coach and 2 walking. There were a few grumbles. Coaches are not allowed in the prettiest bits. You may as well save your $$ and walk it yourself.

 

We tendered into Visby. The Tourist Info office is right next to the tendering piers and the harbour. Its a 2 minute walk to the park and 5 mins to the Botanical gardens. You can walk along the shore too. The Tourist info hand out maps and will draw you a route on it. Nowhere is far in Visby.

 

Up above the cathedral is a very pretty residential area. It used to be workers cottages but nowadays its apparently THE place to stay. Cute little cottages, lovely gardens. In some ways prettier than the old town as not commercialised.

 

Enjoy the old town and look for the street of roses. You can wander quite happily there.

[Sequim88]

These descriptions remind me of our stop at Sitka on the Alaska cruise. Tendered right at town and pretty much everything was right there (except for Otter watching excursion). We took a "tour" at Sitka and regretted it and it sounds like the same sort of deal at Visby.

 

But if walking around is the thing....how "smooth" or steps free are the streets & sidewalks as far as for a wheelchair?

[Al_Frescoe]

I agree with Greta here (except I don't feel that it is that FLAT ... lol), Visby, is very small, and very walkable. No need for a ship's tour here.

 

 

Al

[Alessandro]

Well, I live on the island, anyways, Visby isn´t that small +25k inhabs year around and plenty of people tourists during summer.

The old town isn´t completely flat nor is the road out of the harbour, but when you get into the rest of town it´s flat.

The road ferry (free of charge) to Fårö is often very busy during summer

so if you rent a car be prepared and not in a hurry.

As for the temperature of the island I say it´s pretty warm being Sweden,

there´s even a winery on located on the island where they grow grapes

outdoors, see http://gutevin.se/eng.html

[gopackgo]

Just to update this old thread - I had asked about taking one of the ship's tours in Visby way back in July. We ended up not taking a tour and just walked through the city streets. We ate lunch in one of the outdoor restaurants and enjoyed the food and the views. We walked all the way up to the upper part of town and the views of the ship and the town were beautiful.

 

I am sure the tours are nice also. Just wanted to say how much we enjoyed our free day in Visby. What a beautiful city.

 

Ginny

[Willsot]

I agree with the positive postings on Visby. It was our "surprise" stop of the cruise. Had no idea what to expect and we walked the city on our own and really enjoyed it. Be sure to take photos of the ship from the high ground above the church - ours were some of the best of the trip.